Gaia Association and Ecovillage
Report from Max O. Lindegger
about a Permaculture course which he taught at Asociación Gaia, Argentina in December of 1996
I've lost count how
many PC courses I have been involved in - 60 or maybe more, and lots of Advanced
courses and workshops. Many have been memorable. The Argentina course would rate
in the top 3 courses since I started teaching PC in 1981.
I tried to pinpoint why this course was so successful, I think not only for me but also for the participants. Some pointers:
- Size We had 25
participants but the staff also participated (some in the course, some just
socially)
.
Obviously this is an ideal group size to get a group dynamic going. - Locality The Village project is relatively isolated insofar as other distractions (like a pub) do not exist. Entertainment was homegrown.
- Organisation I have had little problems with organisation in other places. Here the people care seemed to come naturally. It was obvious that the village core group had totally focussed towards this event. I've had more elaborate teaching facilities, better equipment in the past, but could not have asked for better support and care. An example of the detail they went to: I had my own room, aromatherapy kit, a torch, candles, flowers... It is probably fair comment that the core group exhausted itself and neglected its own personal needs by putting so much out.
- Course mix With many participants living relatively close, considerable time could be devoted to the project site where we lived and which was used as a design exercise. To have a 'real' design site and bringing in and relating to the village concept seems to be a successful blend.
- Participants I d
on't
think we get good or bad participants, it is true to say that the latin
temperament seems less competitive than say Australian. The Argentinians
also appear more open to experimentation, touchy feely things without
feeling embarrassed or uneasy (compared to say the Russians). Argentinians
are very well educated and the design exercise resulted in high quality
suggestions many which will be able to be incorporated into the 'real'
design. We can't design the participant mix. For this course we had 4
children present which I felt added to a family atmosphere. - Translators I had 3 translators, all very, very good. I have always enjoyed the type of teamwork which develops. Gaia Argentina will stay in contact with at least two of them (one is a young lad and travelling) although one is living in Denmark. Her language skills are quite exceptional and GEN should stay in contact with her. I have suggested that she contact Hamish when she returns to Denmark in early 1997.
ABOUT THE VILLAGE
The site which Silvia and Gustavo have purchased and which is currentl
y
home to a small and still changing core group is located at the edge of Buenos
Aires. BA seems to spread from the CBD into suburbia into small acreage
settlements (which include aa large number of high security settlements they
call villages - an opportunity here), to larger acreages and to larger working
farms. The site is surrounded by largish cattle properties (also some
cultivation). The 20ha was 30 or so years ago the site for a pioneeering milk
powder factory, but the land had been grazed for many years. It has the
appearance of an oasis in the midst of very flat grazing land. I assume that
previous owners planted trees (mostly eucalypts, white cedars and privet) for
shade and wind protection. With it comes not only a surprisingly abundant bird
life but a very special feel.
Some of the old
buildings ha
ve
been restored to a basic habitable level but many of the big buildings need a
lot of investment, some may only be usable as suppliers of claybricks (the lime
mortar used makes recycling quite easy although labour intensive).
The climate is warm
temperate. Winters are a bit cooler than CW (not suitable for say bananas), but
we all felt that comfrey and pigeon peas will do well (this is a local joke!).
Rain seems well distributed throughout the year. There is sufficient wind to
power all lighting used (plus video and slide projector) with the new 1KW wnd
farm.
The long term grazing has resulted is some compaction (and the natural response of prickly and deep rooted plants) but should create few long term problems.
Water is available in good quantity and quality. The water table is relatively shallow making pumping possible. Wastewater treatment needs to be upgraded as a matter of urgency to protect the water quality.
The favourable combination of climate, soil and water will allow substantial food production. The limitation at this stage is the available labour not soil, water or climate. Sound all very familiar?
Some small and
successful businesses are already operated by people associated
with Gaia
Argentina. More are planned and many feasible and will need some support. I
would go as far as saying that the ability to create work opportunities will
determine the progress in the next 2 years. Argentina does not have a social
benefit structure which supports people while they establish an alternative.
With this safety net missing work/income is essential for survival.
Gaia Argentina is not a 3rd or 2nd world situation. We deal with a group of highly educated intelligent and motivated people. Isolation over 50 years has resulted in limited access to some information and somewhat surprisingly, planting material.
My experience gained
from working in PC in a warm climate is helpful in information transfer. I will
stay in contact with Gaia Argentina. At the same time Argentina is not in our
region and I have strongly suggested a continued strengthening of the link with
Albert. It would be unfair to push Gaia Argen
tina
into the role of representing the southern part of the Americas until they are
ready and equipped to do so, but it is an opportunity to strengthen that part of
the network, an opportunity which I am sure has not been missed by anybody.
I am encouraging Silvia and Gustavo to teach the next PC course as a group with the use of the local talent and resources. It is not that I would not want to revisit but I believe that money would be best invested into local talent. I have left them all my notes and will send books and act otherwise as backup.
Maybe by '98 we could consider an Advanced PC course and Eco-Village Workshop and why not a GEN meeting? It has been mentioned before.
In summary: In
Gaia Argentina we have a fledgling village project we can be proud to be
associated with. Like always there is no plain sailing and people issues will be
determine how successfully the brick and mortar will hold. As part of our global
network they are vitally well located. The connection to their own regio
n
is important but the climatic relevance of Australia is strong. Given a little
support and encouragement and time they will communicate to us their needs in
people and technical resources. Let's hope we can respond actively and
positively.
The views presented on this page are those of the Author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Global Eco-village Network, or the sponsors of this Website.
Max O. Lindegger